Care of the perineum in labour including episiotomy and suturing
30Care of the perineum in labour including episiotomy and suturing In the UK, it is estimated that 85% of women will experience some degree of perineal trauma during vaginal delivery….
Supporting and caring for women in labour
28Supporting and caring for women in labour The first sign of discomfort building into regular and increasingly painful contractions elicits a mixture of emotions, ranging from anxiety to excitement about…
Infectious diseases in pregnancy
3Infectious diseases in pregnancy The midwife’s responsibilities start with familiarity with which pathogens to consider and awareness of where to refer women. In the unwell woman, knowledge of symptoms as…
The antenatal appointment: physical and psychological assessment of the woman in pregnancy
21The antenatal appointment: physical and psychological assessment of the woman in pregnancy The skills of the midwife (Figure 21.1) in antenatal care focus on facilitating women to have a safe,…
Personal hygiene care for women
11Personal hygiene care for women Good personal hygiene is of paramount importance in maintaining good health. Maternity clients are not usually ill but are vulnerable to infection. In addition, the…
Sharps injuries
9Sharps injuries The use of sharps is common in healthcare and therefore healthcare workers (HCW) and others are particularly at risk. Injuries frequently occur through accidental cutting or penetration of…
Moving and handling
6Moving and handling In the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, manual handling is defined as: …any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying…
The control of substances hazardous to health
7The control of substances hazardous to health The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) is a key health and safety law introduced in the 1990s to protect employees from…
